The trial of the Gweedore prisoners on the charge of
murdering District-Inspector Martin during the attempt to arrest Father MacFadden, ended on Tuesday in the conviction of them all, except Father MacFadden, for the minor offence of manslaughter. The verdict of the jury against Coll, which we mentioned last week, daunted the remaining prisoners, and although in one case, that of Gallagher, the jury had disagreed, they submitted to a verdict of " Manslaughter." Father MacFadden only, however, admitted obstructing the police. The Attorney-General, who has been most patient and tem- perate all through the proceedings, agreed to these verdicts, and Mr. Justice Gibson gave sentence on Wednesday. He condemned Coll, who had been the actual cause of the Inspector's death, to ten years' penal servitude ; Roarty and Rogers, who had been ringleaders in the attack, to seven years' ; and McGee, who had struck Serjeant Carey with a pole, besides joining in the attack on Martin, to five years'. The remaining prisoners were taken as being only engaged in a dangerous riot, and received sentences of six months', or less ; while Father MacFadden's statement was accepted, and in consideration that he had surrendered himself, he was dis- charged on his own recognisances of £50 to come up for judgment if called on. The result of this trial, of the sub- mission of the accused, and of the carefully graduated sentences, will do much to restore order in Ireland, by emphasising the law that to cause the death of an officer of justice in the execution of his duty is murder. Many comments will be made on the escape of Father MacFadden, whose " ill-advised " conduct was, the Judge said, the origin of the murderous affray; but we have always held that his intention was only to obstruct, and that the murder was the result of the fury of his friends.
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